Immunology and Inflammation

Working in Immunology? Bio-Connect offers many different products for immunology research such as; primary and secondary antibodies, assay and ELISA kits, and interleukins. On this page you will find popular target links to products and background information. If you have any questions or if you are looking for certain products you can contact our techsupport.The research area Immunology covers all aspects of the immune system in both health and diseases. The immune system is a complex system with many biological structures and processes that protects against diseases caused by pathogens and distinguish them from the organism’s own healthy tissue. Malfunction of the immune system can result in several disorders that can be categorized into three groups: 1) Immune deficiency, when the system is less active than normal, is caused by a genetic variation/defect, acquired conditions such as HIV/AIDS, or immunosuppressive medication. Immune deficiency may result in life-threating infections, but is also associated with obesity, alcoholism and drug abuse. 2) Hypersensitivity is a form of overactive immune respons which can cause allergies. 3) Autoimmune diseases, when the system is hyperactive and attacks normal tissue, include rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus type 1, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Inflammation is one of the first responses of the immune system to infection. The increased blood flow into the tissue causes the symptoms redness, swelling and pain. When cells are injured or infected they release eicosanoids and cytokines. Eicosanoids include prostaglandins that produce dilation of blood vessels, fever and leukotrienes that attract white blood cells (leukocytes). Common cytokines including interleukines, chemokines and interferons have important roles like controlling the communication between leukocytes, promoting chemotaxis and anti-viral effects such as shutting down the protein synthesis in the host cell, respectively. Growth factors and cytotoxic factors also regulate inflammatory response by the recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection and to promote healing of damaged tissue and removal of pathogens.​